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Unfortunately I only had
two seasons with Coach Marlin while other players were
blessed to have had four. Prior to coming to Sam Houston
I thought I knew basketball but I quickly realized after
ONE practice that I really didn't know that much. Coach
Marlin is definitely the "Cream of the Crop". He
motivates each player differently depending on your
demeanor, attitude and ability. Please don’t undermine
that last attribute. I sometimes felt that there were
times that we were "out played or outsized" but never
"out coached!" He said on my recruiting visit that he
would help me become a better player and a better
person. Well I can certainly tell future recruits, he
did just that. Academic preparation is a primary part of
his basketball program. Thank you for everything Coach
Marlin. You are a life long mentor and friend!
- Jejuan Plair, Sam Houston State Guard 2005-07
As we reflect over the
past four years, we realize what a privilege it was for
our son to have played at Sam Houston State under the
guidance of Coach Marlin and his staff.
From the very beginning of the recruiting process, we
could tell that Coach Marlin stood out. He cared about
the player, and really, our whole family. In a sense,
our family became part of his family. He even attended
our daughter’s volleyball game when they were playing in
the State Regional at Sam.
From the first stages of recruiting and throughout all
four years Coach Marlin showed dependability and
honesty. Anything that was said in the recruiting
process was delivered. During our visit many of the Sam
Houston staff spoke of Coach Marlin’s “integrity”. Coach
displayed this and other great personal characteristics
throughout Aaron’s career at Sam.
Coach Marlin has a great open door policy for both
players and parents. He always has time for a phone call
or visit, whether it’s about basketball, grades, or any
other issue. He is concerned about the entire person,
not just as an athlete, but also as a student, young
man, and eventually a professional out in the real
world. He does a great job in supporting and preparing
his athletes in all these realms.
Coach Marlin is not just an excellent basketball coach,
but an outstanding person as well. He comprises his team
in the same image, with not only great basketball
players, but also fine young men. He brings in bright
kids with strong values and develops a family atmosphere
with the team. He doesn’t just coach his team; he
mentors them. Besides getting a great basketball
experience, his players are also provided with great
lessons in teamwork and lifetime friendships.
Four years ago when we were trying to help our son
decide whether Sam was a good place for him, we thought
he was making a good choice, but now we know it was a
great choice. We are sad to leave behind the “family”
that we have developed with the staff, players, and
fans, but we know that are son is taking with him
tremendous gifts that few other places could have
offered. It was truly a privilege for Aaron to have
played for Coach Marlin.
- Dennis
and Chris Wade, parents of Aaron Wade
I feel that the decision to come to Sam Houston State
was one of the best decisions I have made. I feel very
lucky to have been able to play for Coach Marlin for all
four years. From the first day that I walked into his
office, to when he attended my graduation four years
later. As an intimidated freshman, his door was always
open and he would take time out of his evening to stay
and talk after practice for any amount of time. To post
graduation phone calls where he still is very interested
in my growth and my success (of course we still talk a
little basketball).
I feel that Coach has been a great teacher. I learned
countless things about basketball, life, and sometimes
both at the same time. He has an extreme amount of
basketball knowledge and I felt I leaned something new
every day. Practice was not only physical skill
development, but also mental development with thoughts
and focuses given at the beginning of each practice that
were to kept in mind through practice and through daily
life.
I feel that I am privileged to have had Coach Marlin as
a teacher and leader, and the experience doesn't end
with eligibility. Countless times he mentioned in
practice former players that he keeps in touch with, and
what they had to say to, or about the team. Sometimes
former players (even players he coached at different
schools) would attend games and share with us their
experiences and wish us luck. Everyone he has ever
coached, is part of one basketball family, and he works
to keep that family strong.
As for coaching, I think that his coaching record, and
the respect the he gets from some of the top coaches not
just in basketball, but all sports can speak for
themselves.
Even now that I no longer play for his team, I know that
Coach will keep me involved in what is going on with the
team, and that I am still very excited to be able to be
a part of Sam Houston Basketball, and of the family of
players that Coach Marlin has put together.
- Aaron
A. Wade, Sam Houston State Forward 2003-2007
My basketball career at Sam Houston State was a great
learning experience. Coach Bob Marlin was hired as head
coach at the beginning of my junior year. I have to
admit that I was a little nervous about playing under a
new coach. Coach Marlin was the best decision the
university could have made. Not only is he a great
coach, but also a great friend and mentor. Coach Marlin
made sure I received the necessary help with my
schoolwork and attended my graduation, a memory I will
never forget. He instilled values and teamwork into the
program. I can honestly say that the team felt like part
of my family. My senior season, we won the southland
conference championship, Sam Houston State’s first
Division I basketball title. It felt great to win with
teammates who I am still very close to.
- Ricky Fernandez, Sam Houston Forward 1997-2000
Rick’s decision to attend Sam Houston State has been the
best move of his life yet. When Coach Marlin was hired
as the head basketball coach, I saw a big change in
Rick’s attitude and a renewed commitment to wining.
Coach Marlin’s responsibility is to produce a winning
program, but in the process, he brought much more to the
table. My son saw him as a real leader, someone he
respected and trusted. That was far more important to me
than winning basketball games, leadership! But not only
did he win games, he brought something special to my
family as he was always willing to meet and talk to us.
Sometime young men want to test their role and place in
life, and I liked at Coach Marlin’s commitment to
excellence made Rick the man he is today! Now, no great
leader does this alone, his coaching staff has always
been there for Rick and me. I had many talks with the
assistant coaches, mostly asking for advice as a Mom. I
am not going to give Coach Marlin credit for just taking
care of Rick. He brought out the very best in this
family. I appreciate all the sacrifices he and his wife
give to support basketball and winning students of
education. He will never know how important his role is
in shaping the lives of young men and their families.
- Lavada Varner, Mother of Rick Fernandez
I had the good fortune of playing under Coach Marlin and
a wonderful coaching staff for two years. Coach Marlin
brought a winning system to a basketball program hungry
to win. Now, he has instilled a winning tradition and
pride in the Bearkat basketball program. Coach Marlin
not only had a positive effect on my game, but also my
life. I thank God for the opportunity to play for him.
- Boney Watson, Sam Houston Point Guard 1996-2000
We feel indebted to coach Bob Marlin and his staff.
Words cannot describe the love and gratitude that we
have in our hearts for Coach Marlin. Our son was one
thousand miles away from home while he was a student at
Sam Houston State University. Boney was in his junior
year when Coach Marlin became the coach. We had mixed
emotions and did not know what to expect from a staff
that had not recruited our son. Coach Marlin assured our
son he did not have anything to worry about and Boney’s
troubled mind was at rest as well as ours. We must say,
Coach Marlin is a very informative coach and a reliable
person. He made sure our son performed his best in the
classroom as well as on the court. He stressed the
importance of academics - to receive a degree as well as
work hard on the court and still have fun. Not only did
he keep an open line of communication with us, he
instructed our son to call home and stressed that it is
a blessing to have parents and their support. In
addition, Coach Marlin instilled in our son the desire
to attend church. Whatever our son needed while at Sam
Houston - coach, father, friend, guidance, discipline -
coach Marlin was there to fulfill those shoes or wear
that particular hat. He has been many good things to our
son wrapped in one big package. God has smiled on our
son and blessed Boney in so many ways through Bob
Marlin’s loyalty, intellect and coaching ability.
- Wayne and Dee Watson, Parents of Boney Watson |